Incommensurate magnetic structure in the orthorhombic perovskite ErMnO_3

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic and structural properties of orthorhombic ErMnO_3, revealing an incommensurate antiferromagnetic order below 42 K and a lock-in transition at 28 K, highlighting the interplay between magnetic structure and electric properties.

Contribution

First detailed investigation of the magnetic structure of orthorhombic ErMnO_3 using neutron diffraction and thermodynamic measurements.

Findings

Antiferromagnetic correlations develop below 42 K.

Lock-in transition occurs at 28 K with incommensurate wave vector.

Magnetic structure influences electric properties.

Abstract

By combining dielectric, specific heat, and magnetization measurements and high-resolution neutron powder diffraction, we have investigated the thermodynamic and magnetic/structural properties of the metastable orthorhombic perovskite ErMnO_3 prepared by high-pressure synthesis. The system becomes antiferromagnetically correlated below 42 K and undergoes a lock-in transition at 28 K with propagation wave vector (0,k_b,0), which remains incommensurate at low temperature. The intercorrelation between the magnetic structure and electric properties and the role of the rare earth moment are discussed.